AERON MTB TUBE TYPES

* compared to corresponding butyl tubes

Cyclists have been relying on butyl inner tubes for over 130 years. Everyone knows the black-grey rubber tubes, everyone has patched or changed them after a puncture. This could soon be a thing of the past. With thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a new material is entering the world of bicycle inner tubes that promises many advantages over butyl inner tubes.

What is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)?

 The well-known hoses are being replaced by TPU hoses. This is because TPU - thermoplastic polyurethane - has many advantages over the black rubber hose. But what is TPU anyway? Thermoplastics are plastics that deform when heated and solidify when they cool down. TPU has long been used in manufacturing for the automotive, transport, aerospace, sports equipment and medical device industries. TPU combines the high durability of plastic parts with the elasticity of rubber, making it the ideal material for applications that require repeated bending or compression of parts. Due to its elasticity, TPU is often used as an impact modifier in products such as helmets, protective packaging, vibration damping products or seals. TPU also has excellent abrasion resistance and is therefore used in applications with high friction (e.g. interior components of vehicles) or for electrical cables and insulation.

Are TPU tubes better than classic butyl bicycle tubes?

Yes, TPU bicycle inner tubes such as those from AERON can be created or engineered, so to speak. This means that engineers can give a bicycle inner tube exactly the attributes that the rider needs for the application in question. Of course, a TPU inner tube can be produced in different sizes and widths and also with a desired valve. But there's more: a TPU inner tube can be manufactured in such a way that it offers more or less puncture protection, it can be heavier or lighter and, of course, come in different colours. Many tests carried out by independent institutes and test magazines ultimately clearly show the advantages of TPU bicycle inner tubes over those made of butyl. They are:

• Lighter
• Work with less pressure
• Better puncture protection (also against punctures and punctures)
• Better rolling resistance
• Easier to fit
• Smaller pack size
• Less air loss
• Heat-resistant even with rim brakes
• Sustainable

TPU inner tube for mountain bikes - is it any good?

Absolutely. Especially if you are a performance-orientated mountain bike, road bike or gravel rider, the advantages of the thermoplastic material are of great interest: Their rolling resistance is similar to that of latex tubes. The puncture resistance is similar to that of a tubeless system. In addition, the pack size and weight are so low that a TPU inner tube fits into any small jersey or tool bag. The TPU tube therefore has the absolute potential to enhance the riding experience of mountain bikers.

What are the best bicycle inner tubes for MTB?

TPU bicycle tubes are the future, the old butyl tubes have had their day. In this respect, TPU inner tubes are the best choice for mountain bike riders too. Ultimately, the only question that remains is which TPU inner tube the MTB rider chooses. If he has a casing, i.e. a bicycle tyre, with high puncture protection and large wall thickness, supported by the carcass, he does not need to choose a TPU inner tube with optimised puncture protection. Such a mountain bike rider can opt for a very light TPU inner tube. However, if a very thin tyre is fitted to the mountain bike, a TPU inner tube with increased puncture protection is worthwhile. Anyone taking part in mountain bike or enduro races should also weigh up the options carefully. Downhill or enduro riders may need more puncture protection than marathon riders.

Tubeless or inner tube for mountain bikes?

Many cyclists shy away from fitting tubeless systems, not least because fitting with the rim tape (sealing the spoke holes and valve hole) and the sealant - especially if you are inexperienced - can turn into a messy disaster. Nevertheless, more and more cyclists have switched to tubeless systems in recent years, ultimately because tubeless, in combination with the sealant added to the system, provides excellent puncture protection and there are now many good descriptions in text and moving images on how to fit them. Mountain bikers and gravel bikers in particular have opted for this feature, in combination with better rolling resistance compared to tyres with a butyl inner tube. Even racing cyclists are increasingly discovering a liking for tubeless tyres - mainly because of the low rolling resistance. However, the new TPU bicycle tubes from Aeron are now becoming serious competition for tubeless systems. If the assembly is easier than with tubeless, the rolling resistance is only slightly worse and the puncture protection is very good, then performance-orientated mountain bikers in particular are well advised to use a TPU tube.

Which inner tube holds the air best?

First of all, TPU inner tubes are ridden with a similar air pressure to butyl inner tubes. Depending on the tyre width, cyclists can therefore ride with 1.5 to over 3 bar air pressure (this is an example to illustrate this). What's more, TPU inner tubes can even be ridden at very low pressures without immediately collapsing - although this would of course increase the risk of punctures. What's more, as already mentioned, TPU inner tubes can be created, i.e. equipped with special properties such as good rolling resistance or optimised puncture protection. It is therefore not surprising that TPU tubes hold air better than butyl tubes. A mountain biker with a TPU inner tube therefore has to use an air pump less often.

Are MTB TPU tubes lighter than conventional tubes?

TPU tubes are significantly lighter than butyl tubes. While a road bike tyre made of the well-known material weighs around 120 grams, a TPU inner tube of comparable width weighs between 25 and 40 grams (including valve). The lightest Aeron mountain bike TPU inner tube weighs only 42 grams for a tyre width between 1.7 and 2.5 inches. That is absolutely world class and around 80 per cent lighter than a comparable butyl inner tube. Incidentally, the TPU tube also performs better in comparison with a tubeless system in which between 30 and 60 millimetres/gram of sealant plus valve are used.

TPU bicycle inner tubes can also be ridden with rim brakes

Bicycle inner tubes made of thermoplastic polyurethane can withstand even high levels of heat. With this in mind, they can be mounted on a rim or a wheel with disc brakes or rim brakes.

How do I fit a TPU mountain bike inner tube?

Fitting the new TPU tubes is just as easy as with butyl tubes. The only thing to bear in mind is that the inner tube should not be inflated to more than 0.3 bar at the start. So: lift off the tyre cover on one side, insert the inner tube, pump it up slightly (no more than 0.3 bar), lift the cover over the rim, inflate the tyre, done. The ease of fitting is the big advantage of the TPU inner tube over tubeless systems. Many cyclists shy away from the complicated tubeless installation - and rightly so. You have to be reasonably experienced to convert your wheels to tubeless, and at the latest after a puncture that the system cannot seal with sealant, you are faced with quite a mess.

Can I inflate Aeron tubes outside the casing?

Yes, of course. However, see above, please do not inflate with more than 0.3 bar. Once it is mounted on the rim and in the casing, the TPU tube can be inflated to a good pressure.

How can you repair MTB TPU inner tubes?

Aeron TPU tubes can be patched. Aeron provides special pad kits for this purpose, consisting of a special adhesive and a patch/pad.

Does tubeless sealant also work with an MTB inner tube?

You can and may fill sealing milk into a tube. However, experts from tube and sealant manufacturers doubt the functionality because the sealant in a tube that is already losing air and whose surface area is shrinking would run into the cavities between the tube and the casing, i.e. it would probably not seal the actual hole in the tube.

Can mini pumps with a screw-on pump head be used to fit the Aeron Tube?

No, such pump heads are not suitable because the valve heads of the Aeron TPU tubes do not have a metal thread. However, the valve heads of Aeron TPU tubes are roughened at the top so that pump heads without threads can hold better.

Are Aeron MTB tubes recyclable?

Absolutely. This is another big advantage of TPU over butyl inner tubes. Butyl can be shredded and then only used as filler material, for example in shock absorption mats or possibly during tyre production. Old TPU inner tubes, on the other hand, can be shredded, then heated and melted down before a new inner tube is made from the material.